I was in Tucson for a Sci-fi convention last weekend (I live in San Francisco) and after 2 days of hotel coffee (horror) and bistro coffee (El Charro), I was happy to end up at Raging Sage for fresh roasted brew. I didn't get to spend a lot of time checking out their roaster or beans, but the cup of coffee I had was good, and the place looked pretty cool. I've been to the Coffee Exchange across the street, and it wasn't as good as RS.

I think I'm finally beginning to understand why people respond to the question, "Where is the best coffee in X city?" with the answer, "My house." When I travel, my home-coffee is one of the things I miss most.

Well this reply is several months late, but since I live in tucson, I thought I should comment. Tucson has a lot of places that roast coffee, but only one place where I will actually drink the coffee and that is Safehouse on Alvernon and Speedway. I used to like Raging Sage, but they do not take nearly the same care in espresso preparation that Safehouse does. I at first liked the espresso from RS, but after roasting at home and pulling my own shots for so many months now, my tastes are somewhat refined. The last time I was there I couldn't finish my double. However the same does not hold true for Safehouse. I went there a week ago, and still found their espresso quite drinkable. I like my own better, but I still found it tasty.

A must visit in Tucson is the Coffee Vein! Barista Magazine chose five shops to highlight for it's latest April/May issue and the "Vein" was one of them. Exquisitely pulled shots of espresso by a seriously talented crew!

A must visit in Tucson is the Coffee Vein! Barista Magazine chose five shops to highlight for it's latest April/May issue and the "Vein" was one of them. Exquisitely pulled shots of espresso by a seriously talented crew!

Recently touted by some gothkids as, "Like the Safehouse, but for grownups". Trevino cringed when I told him, but they actually meant it as a compliment!So, Tucson is a bit of a big city in small town britches. Post the locations/addresses! The 'Vein' is near I-10 and Speedway/Grant, but the Sppedway exit is gonna close for the next few years (!?!) so get off on Grant if you're passing through, and take a left on Stone. It'll be on teh right, before you get to Speedway. The 'Safehouse' is on Speedway, just east of the city's center, on the south side of the street. 'Raging Sage' is on Campbell Ave, just north of Grant, a handfull fo blocks north of the University of Arizona. There are a few places downtown that don't suck, but jsut barely, and there was one that showed promise near the UofA, but started to suck horribly. They killed an Elektra Belle Epoque, and jsut let it sit. I may trade them my Astoria (you've seen it's little sister at the 'Sage) for the 'Belle... HMMMmmmmm...Downtown, make your way to a 'Shot in the Dark' on Brodway, jsut east of Sixth on the north side of the street. The coffee is a bit lacking, but still better than quite a few of the other places within walking distance, and the food is good. It's an eclectic lil place with its own quirks, but it is comfy.Tell em where you're at, and I'll tell you how far it is to salvation!Worst case scenario, you can make it to my place!

BTW, where the heck is the 'Crave'?Oh, and never, I mean never, go to a mexican restaraunt for espresso...

I am the owner of Crave Espresso Bar and we are new on the Tucson scene. Someone asked for our location. We are located at 4530 E Broadway, which is in the same strip mall as Beaver's Band Box and Zivaz Mexican Bistro. So far our customers have given us excellent feedback and we really appreciate the mention on this site! I hope we can please discriminating coffee drinkers in this town. Just a side note: we use a local roaster and we bake our pastries fresh in house, in case anyone judges these aspects. Come in and try a drink. If you mention this thread on coffeegeek I will give you your first drink on the house - anything you like.

Kim SciabicaCrave(520)325-3637

BTW, I really like doppios at the Vein and the fresh pastries at Raging Sage.

I'll be the one in the AZ colored bike jersey. Which local roaster, if I may ask? (...having rosted his first pound of beans in the last week!)

I think that just showing up here says more about the quality of the coffee than either the local roaster or the inhouse pastries. Although, if you make a decent cheese danish I'm in serious trouble.I can't tell you how many baristi (and I use the term loosely) I've suggested come here or frequent some of the other coffee sites to gain insight on their craft, who have just sort of blown it off. I've learned more about espresso here than anywhere else!

Yeah, I knew there was a reason that I liked you. OTOH, let's see what the latest lipids profile uncovers. If I'm below 200, danish may be in my future...

edit: Under 300, but still a bit high. No cheese danish for me, unless someone has come up with a way to make it with no-fat, no cholesterol cheese and butter. Somehting tells me that even if they do, it just won't be the same...

I went in for a second 'Italian Cappuccino', and it was so good I was licking foam off the cup before I realized that I had neglected my traditional half-teaspoon of sugar!I really like the place, and this time I got to spend a few minutes chatting with Kim, the owner. She's in it for the love of coffee, and it seems that her staff are in it for the same reason. Other than tempting me with the dreaded Cheese Danish, it was great! ; >Tell your friends...

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